Daijiworld Media Network - Miami

Miami, Dec 20: Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua handed Jake Paul his first knockout loss on Friday at the Kaseya Center, stopping the YouTuber-turned-boxer after a dominant performance. Paul was floored four times as Joshua controlled the bout from the opening bell.

Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) had been coming off a six-fight winning streak following a split decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023. He entered the ring after a unanimous decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June, aiming to bounce back from past setbacks.

Joshua (29-4, 26 KOs), who lost his WBO, IBF, and WBA titles to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and the rematch 11 months later, had rebounded with four consecutive victories before a September 2024 stoppage by Daniel Dubois. Friday’s triumph reinforces his standing as one of the sport’s top heavyweights.

The bout was initially unrelated to Paul’s scheduled November exhibition against Gervonta “Tank” Davis, which was canceled due to a civil suit filed against Davis alleging battery and false imprisonment.

Fight analysts Andreas Hale and James Regan highlighted Joshua’s superior power, footwork, and precision, noting that Paul struggled to mount any sustained offense throughout the contest.